#eslariavision

ANNOT - Sainte - Technicolor

Nice beat, I like the bits of 80s synth that show up in the instrumentation every now and then. Nothing particularly special as a whole, though. This would be nice background music for me when doing non-essential stuff at home.

CALIXTO - Wiktoria- Yesterday

Intro kinds reminded me of Heroes. Must be the pseudo-country thing. Fun upbeat song and melody. Not my favorite Wiktoria song, though. Again, I’d keep this in the background but probably wouldn’t specifically seek it out.

ESCHWEIDE - Nathan Hartono - Electricity

Am I allowed to roast a song when I know both of Nathan’s backup dancers personally? Delightfully pleasant, feel-good, and retro. Very enjoyable, nice contrast to the ladies with big voices from the first two entries. Love the pre-chorus and chorus.

CANAMERDA - Loïc Nottet - Million Eyes

SHOOK. Look, I love Loïc and I love this song. This is amazing. BUT. I don’t usually go for songs I already know or are already hugely popular in song contests. It feels like the easy way out. I want to discover new stuff and not reward something I already love. That’s just me, though.

QESARAKA - Tonči Huljić & Madre Badessa - Che Guevara I Manistra U Suvo

Nice instrumentation throughout. And for what seems to be a joke/meme entry, it’s definitely an enjoyable experience. (I’m obviously judging based on the video rather than the actual lyrics, coz I can’t understand them and can’t be bothered to look it up right now.) But yes, quite enjoyable.

CAMAUÉ - EXO - Monster

It’s Kpop doing what Kpop always does: Be catchy. So, no real surprises here. Nice beat, but it doesn’t really bring anything new or special  to the table.

KULAKOVO - dePresno - Hide and Seek

I’m pretty sure I’ve heard this many times before, either in a random Spotify playlist or at PlugDJ. It’s alright. I like the tone of his voice but I’m not sold on the song itself.

RINNE - Melania Trump and Michelle Obama - The Day That Brought World Peace

I know y’all like your meme/joke entries. I don’t mind them either. BUT for me to truly enjoy them, they actually have to be GOOD. This… is not. At all. Thank goodness it’s only a minute and a half.

KRAVLJAK -  Христина Соловій (Khrystyna Soloviy) - Под облачком (Pod Oblachkom)

That opening grabbed me. Maybe it’s because it’s in stark contrast to the song that came before it, but I’m loving this. I love the ethereal quality of the instrumentation and her vocal. Really transports me to a different mood.

ILISCA - Zaho - Tant de Choses

I like her voice and it’s a good tune. I generally prefer the verses to the chorus, though. The instrumentation of the chorus is fairly ordinary. Definitely appreciated the verses more. Still, not a bad tune.

SANDEMBE - One Ok Rock - The Way Back

Nice beat, and I do enjoy a good drum beat. Nice fun song, can definitely imagine this bringing the house down live. So yeah, I quite liked it.

THE STORNAWAY ISLANDS - Lorenzo Fragola - Luce Che Entra

Nice beat, and I love his voice. Heck yes. Really enjoying this song. I’m a sucker for songs in Italian, so this one definitely ticks all my boxes. Could maybe afford to be amped up a notch or two towards the end but it’s all good.

THE SPRINGWOOD REPUBLIC - Nicky Jam & Enrique Iglesias - El Perdón

Oh, another song I’m definitely familiar with. It’s a fine song, nice beat, but eh, it’s not exactly getting much of a reaction from me.

SATAGON - Ladyhawke - A Love Song

YES GIMME THAT 80S POP SYNTH VIBE YES. Fell in love with it as soon as that first chorus kicked in. This is definitely my jam.

FRESTONIA - Mick Pedaja - Valgeks

Nice contrast to the song that came before it. I love me some Mick Pedaja. His voice is sublime, and this tune is very lovely. This isn’t gonna be for everyone but I love it.

VORSSINGERS - Laura Mvula - Phenomenal Woman

Another jam. Great beat, brings something unique to the table, and her voice is quality. Can imagine marching down the street to the beat of this song. (This may be my favorite stretch of the show so far.)

MONTESQUIEU - Jenni Vertainen - Eden

Song opened strong, and I love how the Finnish sounds to this beat. Another song where I generally prefer the verses to the chorus, but this is still a very enjoyable tune. The streak of good/enjoyable songs continues!

OSWESTRY - Kimbra - Miracle

I love the tone of her voice and the beat of this song, but it weirdly doesn’t really go together 100%? Kinda kicks in during the chorus. Still, I wouldn’t mind hearing a singer with a less… whispy (?!) voice (more powerful/solid voice) singing this song. Love the beat though.

DION - Cœue de pirate - Oublie-moi

Another female with a whispy voice. This time it feels like the voice is a match to the song. It’s alright. It’s fun, light, and quirky.

ZENTENO - Kenny B - Parijs

Nice tune, nice voice. Definitely brings something unique to this competition. I like how relaxed and chilled out it is. Makes me wanna go have a coffee in Paris…

OROCASA - Nielson - Nachtdienst

Fun, inoffensive Schlager. Yeah, I can jam to it. Not much in the way of substance but that’s not the point here.

HONOKAA - Amir - On Dirait

I do enjoy Amir and I totally enjoy this song, but again, much like Loïc, this suffers from being a song I already enjoy by an artist I’m familiar with. Again, just my personal preference with such contests.

OBLASSBERG - Gülşen - Bangır Bangır

I admit: I’m a sucker for Ethno-Shake, especially when the video has a hot shirtless guy in it. I totally would dance to this song alone in my room. Fun, fun, fun.

BADARAT - Panic! At The Disco! - Don’t Threaten Me With A Good Time